Newt "Bob" Wardlaw, 97, of Denton passed away on Sunday, February 20, 2022 in Denton. He was born on March 18, 1924 in Fort Worth, Texas to Newt Robert and Gertrude Frances (Harbert) Wardlaw.

Bob grew up on a farm in Cross Roads in Denton County, was a Denton High School graduate, and attended North Texas State College. As a decorated World War II Veteran, he returned home to marry his childhood sweetheart, Bernice, who was the love of his life. He was a devoted husband of 75 years and a beloved  father, grandfather ('Gpa'), great grandfather, and great great grandfather. He was a devout Christian and longtime member of First Baptist Denton.

An avid sports fan, Bob followed the Cowboys since 1960. Traveling and enjoying  adventures with his many family members was a favorite pastime. He loved water skiing, snow skiing, camping and all outdoor activities well into his late 70s. Beekeeping was just one of his interesting hobbies and he was also an exceptional gardener and arborist. He enjoyed serving as president of the Denton Lions Club, coaching boys' baseball, and welcoming any and all friends and neighbors with his infectious smile, hearty handshake or "a Grandpa pat on the back". Bob never met a stranger.

After 40 years working in Quality Engineering at General Dynamics, he was asked to spend a year in Ankara, Turkey advising the team building F-16 fighters there. During those years, he drove a daily carpool from Denton to Ft. Worth for several of his coworkers until his retirement in 1990. We praise God for his legacy and guiding presence for the men and women of this family.

He is survived by his wife, Bernice (Bea) Wardlaw of Denton, daughters, Beverly (Wardlaw)  Whittaker and husband Larry of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Sherry (Wardlaw) Lozon and husband Bill of Argyle, Texas, sons, Larry Wardlaw and wife, Karen of Georgetown, Texas, Donald Wardlaw and wife Vicky of Brazoria, Texas., sisters, Frances George of Sunnyvale, Texas, Bea Hornbeck of Carrollton, Texas, ten grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, sisters, Gerry Ott, Wanda Fore, Betty Sue Steele, brothers, Onus Wardlaw and Ross Wardlaw.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 25, 2022 from 5-7PM at DeBerry Funeral Directors of Denton, Texas. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Aubrey, Texas. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Aubrey.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made out to Oak Grove Cemetery.